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(No Model.)

T. R. EVANS.

SHOE. No; 298,363. Patented May 13.1884.

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Unrrnn STATES ArnNr OFFICE.

THOMAS E. EVANS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,363, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filed March 4,1884. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS R. Evans, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Shoes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which' Figure 1 is a perspective view of ashoe embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of a shoe of the order of a button or lace gaiter, constructed substantially as hereinafter described, whereby it is admirably adapted for bathing purposes and uses of the gymnast, ball-player, &c.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the vamp of a shoe, and B the side pieces or flaps thereof, said flaps being disconnected at their front or lower ends from said vamp, and the upper end of the vamp having a gore, 0, whereby the shoe is adapted to spring or yield at or about the instep, and may thus be worn with much comfort.

D represents the sole of the shoe, the same consisting of an outer sole, a, of rubber, an insole, b, of cork, and a covering, 0, for the insole, of canvas or other suitable fabric. The bottom. of the upper is fitted between the covering c and outer solo, a, and the whole sewed through, thus firmly connecting the sole and upper, the stitches while passing through the cork taking secure hold of the fabric and rubber. It will be seen that the sole is of a superior order, combining the advantages of 7 rubber and cork, whereby the sole of the foot is kept dry and warm, even if walking on damp or wet ground, and the insole is protected by the outer sole, so that it is prevented from rotting and being cut. Furthermore, the outer sole presents a frictional surface to the ground, preventing the wearer from slipping.

Interposed between the outer sole and covering of the inner sole, and between the bottom end of the upper and the outer sole, is a layer,

d, of rubber or other water-proof cement or material, which unites the contiguous parts and closes the joints thereof, preventing the entrance of water or moisture thereat.

In the toe portion of the vamp are openings 6, the object whereof is to admit of the discharge of water entering the shoe when used for bathing purposes. In this case, as the wearer walks over the damp or wet sand or beach, prior to entrance into the water, his feet are protected and the soles thereof prevented from being primarily chilled, which, as is well known, is a shock to the system, intimidating parties from bathing. Vhen ,the bather leaves the water, the water in the shoes is immediately discharged through the openings 0, and the advantages of the soles D exist as the bather walks on the sand or beach to the bath-house, the feet being protected from underneath ,while the upper rapidly drains and dries. The rubber sole also prevents the feet from being cut or otherwise injured by stones, shells, &c., on the beach and in the water, and the entire sole will be found to be soft and yielding to the foot.

WVhen required, the shoe may be washed, the compound sole being flexible and adapted to be twisted or wrung out with the upper without injury thereto.

The heel E of the shoe is formed of a block of cork, f, and a tread, g, of rubber connected together and to the heel portion of the shoe, thus produciug a heel which is flexible, water-proof, easy to the foot of the wearer, takes firm hold of the ground, is cheaply constructed, and permits the tread y, when worn, to be removed and replaced.

The upper is preferably formed of fabric known as canvas, duck, &c.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A shoe having a sole formed of an outer sole of rubber, an inner sole of cork, and a covering for the inner sole of fabric, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A shoe having a vamp, side flaps loose or disconnected therefrom at their front ends,

and a sole formed of a rubber outer solo, a

cork inner sole, and a covering for the inner sole, the parts of the compound sole and upper being secured together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5 3. A shoe having a vamp and a water-proof sole, said vamp having openings at or about the toe portion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A shoe having a sole formed of an outer IO sole of rubber, an inner sole of cork, and a 1 covering for the inner sole, and a heel formed of a block of cork and a tread of rubber, both secured to the upper, and all parts constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS R. EVANS.

Vitnesses:

J OHN A. WIEDERsnnm, A. P. GRANT. 

